June 10, 2014

On June 10, 2014, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a new federal lawsuit in Alabama, Aaron-Brush v. Bentley, on behalf of a same-sex couple seeking legal respect for their marriage, performed in Massachusetts in 2012. The lawsuit argues that a constitutional amendment in Alabama banning same-sex couples from marriage and denying respect for marriage licenses received in other states violates the United States Constitution.

The plaintiff couple is April and Ginger Aaron-Brush of Birmingham, AL. April and Ginger have been together for more than 17 years and legally married in Massachusetts in 2012, on the 15th anniversary of becoming a couple.

Since then, their lives have been changed: their names reflect a unified family, they feel their relationship is affirmed by their faith, and they have gained a deeper respect from other married families. However in Alabama, their family doesn’t have the legal security enjoyed by other families. Although Ginger has lovingly and tenderly raised and nurtured their child from day one alongside April, in Alabama she is not recognized as a parent.

April added, "The word marriage, in itself, brings validity and respect to any committed relationship. One's marriage status shouldn't change simply by crossing state lines. Gay couples seek to be married for the very same reasons that opposite-sex couples choose to be married-- love, honor and commitment."

The lawsuit joins 65 other lawsuits in a new total of 32 states/territories where same-sex couples are making the case for why marriage matters to all families. Two other lawsuits have also been filed seeking marriage for same-sex couples in Alabama. In every single state without marriage, litigation is pending seeking the freedom to marry or respect for marriages performed in other states. Read all about marriage litigation HERE. Thanks to Kathleen Perrin at Equality Case Files for the consistent filings on marriage cases.

Freedom to Marry was the campaign to win marriage nationwide. With the Supreme Court victory on June 26, 2015, the work of this strategic campaign – though not the larger movement – was achieved, and Freedom to Marry wound down its operations, closing in early 2016. For inquiries, please email legacy@freedomtomarry.org.